Environmental Monitoring

An area of critical importance to the "Protect and Preserve" mission of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper is improved monitoring of water quality in our River and Bay.

Periodic monitoring of Bay waters is undertaken by the Florida Department of Agriculture to ensure these waters are safe for harvesting of shellfish under the state's aquaculture program. When there has been a concern about contamination from "Red Tide" toxic algae blooms, the Apalachicola Riverkeeper has joined the monitoring party to sample the waters and send in an independent sample of oyster meat to a second laboratory for testing on behalf of our oystermen members. All parties interested in the Bay be they state regulators, the Apalachicola Riverkeeper , or the oystermen themselves - want the world's customers for our product to buy and eat them with full confidence the Apalachicola oyster remains not only succulent, but safe.

Specialized monitoring is also accomplished by the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) as they document seasonal and long-term changes in the ecology and bio-diversity of this uniquely rich estuary.

It is our intent to furnish the product of our efforts to that portion of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) responsible for classifying waters under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act. Only in this way will we ensure priority effort is dedicated to protecting the Apalachicola River and Bay.